Foueth to abraham hertje



` (No Modl.)

' J MGROOB.

FLOOR CLAMP."

@fw NVENTOR.

WITNESSES uw@ @momma IoA UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JACOB M. GROOE, OF RAVENSWOOD, WEST VIRGINIA, ASSGNOR OF ONE- FOURTH TO ABRAHAM HERTJE, OF SAME PLAGE.

FLOOR-@LAM P.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters PatentNo. 322,369, dated July 14, 1885.

Application filed April 20, 1885. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JACOB M. GROCE, a citizen ofthe United States, and a resident of" Ravenswood, in the county oi' Jackson and State of West Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements' in Flooring- Glamps; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appert'ains `to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and in which--` Figure l is a perspective view of my improved ooring-clamp. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view ofthe same. Fig. 3 is a side view, and Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse sectional view, take-n on the line .r .fr in Fig. 3.

The same letters refer to the same parts in all the figures. g

This invention relates to that class of devices which are known as ilooring-clamps, and which are used for thepurpose of forcing ooring-stuff and the like into position upon the joists and retaining it while it is being secured, thus enabling warped stud' to be placed in position with ease and accuracy; and the invention has for its object to provide a device oi' this class which shall possess superior advantages in point of simplicity, durability, and general efficiency. l

Vith these ends in view the invention consists in the improved construction, arrangement, and combination of parts, which will be hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claim.

In the drawings hereto annexed, A designates the base oi' my improved ilooringclamp, which is provided at one edge with a downwardly-extending ange, B. The under and inner sides of the said base and flange are which is provided with a series ot' teeth or ratchets,G G. The upper portion of the head D has a recess, H, in which is placed a verti cally-sliding bolt, l, which is forced automatically in a downward direction by the actionof a suitablyarranged spring, J, which engages the teeth G of the sliding bar F. The upper end of the bolt I has a handle or knob, K, by

means oi' which it maybe withdrawn from engagement liivith the teeth ot the sliding bar when desired.

The baseA is provided near its rear end with` O is aipawl or dog secured pivotally to the `V lever M, and engaging the upper toothed face of the sliding bar F. Said dog is held in contact with the sliding bar by means of a iiat spring, P, which is secured to a transverse flange, Q, upon the rear side of the head D, and which rests between longitudinal tlan ges RR, extending upwardly from the sides ot' the pawl O.

The sliding bar F is provided with alaterally-extendin g lug, which is designated by letter S, and whichserves to limit the sliding movement of the said bar between the head D and the lugs L. The rear end of the said bar F, which slides between the lugs L L, is not toothed, but serves simply as a guide.

The base A is provided lwith a horizontal socket, T, for a screw-clamp, U, which is ad` justable in the said socket, and the arm of which has a pointed screw, V, by means of which the device may be attached to a joist upon which the ooring is to be laid. The said base is also provided with suitably-arranged sharp prongs or hooks, W W, which serve to assist in securing it in its proper position. y

From theforegoin g description, taken in connection with the drawings hereto annexed, the operation'and advantages of my invention will be readily understood. The device being attached by means of the screw U to one of the joists, the lever M may be worked so as to bring the outer end of the sliding bar F up against the outer edge of the board, which may thus be forced into its proper position and held while it is being nailed or otherwise secured.

I would have it understood that in The construction of this device I do not Wish to limitmyself to the precise construction herein shown and described, but reserve to myself the privilege of makin g such alterations and lnodieations as may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States- In a ilooring-elamp,-the combination of a base having a downwardlyextending flange at one edge, and provided at its fronted ge with a head having a longitudinal slot or perfora tion, and near its rear end with a pair of lugs, a bar arranged to slide longitudinally in the said perforation and between the said lugs, and having a` series of teeth or ratehets formed in'its upper side, a lever pivoted t0 the said lugs, and having a dog or pawl adapted to engage and operate the said sliding bar, a spring secured to a iiange upon the rear side of the head and holding the said pawl in engagementY with the sliding bar, a springactuated bolt arranged in a vertical reeess in the head and engaging the sliding bar, and means for-attaching the device and retaining it in position upon a joist7 substantially as herein described, for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereunto afxed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JACOB M. GROGE. Vitnesses:

ABRAHAM HERNE, BENJAMIN D. WILLIAMS. 

